Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and defender Ola Aina have been granted permission to leave the Super Eagles squad ahead of their final Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifying match against Rwanda in Uyo on Monday.
Nwabali, who plays for Chippa United in South Africa, has been excused from the team due to personal reasons following the tragic loss of his father.
The goalkeeper shared the news of his father’s passing on his Instagram story, posting a heartfelt tribute along with a tearful emoji, though he did not reveal the cause of death.
Nwabali had been in goal during Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Benin Republic on Thursday, a match that secured the Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2025 AFCON despite one remaining game in the group.
Aina, who plays for Premier League club Nottingham Forest, has been allowed to return to England ahead of Nigeria’s final AFCON qualifier. The club made a special request to the Nigerian Football Federation and Coach Austin Eguavoen, asking for the defender’s early release so he could prepare for Forest’s upcoming high-stakes match against Arsenal.
With Nigeria’s AFCON qualification already assured, Aina’s early departure has been granted to help him focus on club duties.
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Additionally, there was a slight setback for Ademola Lookman, a leading contender for the 2024 African Player of the Year award. The Leicester City forward was excused from Saturday’s training session after picking up a knock during Nigeria’s game against Benin Republic.
While the injury is not considered serious, Lookman’s absence raised concerns ahead of Monday’s match, though the Super Eagles coaching staff remains optimistic about his recovery.
Despite these changes to the squad, the Super Eagles are in high spirits, having already secured their spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Ivory Coast.
The team, under Coach Eguavoen, has been in excellent form throughout the qualifiers and will look to finish the campaign on a high note when they face Rwanda.
CredibleNews.ng
